Introduction:
Craig has been studing the amazing powers of the human mind, as well as the "secrets of success" for the past two decades. This article (in point form for brevity) is largely based on my notes from a most inspiring and uplifting adress by an American, "Skip" Ross from many years ago (however the principles, I believe, are eternal truths). I am sharing the contents of the Amway man's work, plus some of my own writings in the spirit of encouraging and hopefully even inspiring those people, who really want to achieve their dreams in life, whatever they may be " to just GO FOR IT".

Thank you sincerely, "Skip" for sharing (with humour) your most uplifting words of wisdom in encouraging me to follow my passion and to reach for my personal dreams. I (in turn) am passing them on through the amazing power of the www, as my dream is helping others to realise their personal dreams in life.

Now on the article (at long last!)...

*
American athlete, Glenn Cunningham was severly burnt as a child. However, Glen was determined to become the "fastest human being alive". He won Olympic Gold medals and was named 'Athlete of the Century at Madison Square Garden, because of his persistence, which turned adversity into greatness.

Jesse Owens: "What do you want to be? You name it and then believe God will help you get it." "Jesse was so inspired by these words", said his coach. Jesse Owens simple answer to this question was: "I've got a dream - to be the fastest human being alive."

Jesse Owens faced many challenges in his life. He was born poor and skinny; yet he won 4 Olympic gold medals. All because young Jesse had a dream and was willing to climb the ladder to success. He was prepared to pay the price by putting in the EFFORT.

When you know from the outset, that "I WILL do it," then you can concentrate all your time, energy and talents on doing it now.

A person with PERSISTENCE will succeed over the person with more talent, more education or more money.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence, determination and hard work make the difference."
- Former American President, Calvin Coolidge.

Lack of persistence is one of the major causes of failure in various endeavours; yet it's evident that it is a weakness which permeates the human race.

Virtually all the greats of this world have experienced temporary defeats. Those are the learning times, the opportunities to grow and achieve your destiny. If you get up one more time than you fail, you will make it through.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumph even though checked with failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits, who neither enjoy much nor suffer much; because they live in the gray twilight, that knows not victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt

Positive thinking does not always work; particularly when it is in direct contrast to the picture you have of yourself. One's self image is the sum total of the attitudes, facts and feelings you have accumulated about yourself. Everything we think, feel and do is influenced by this picture. You may be a very gifted singer; but first you have to believe that about yourself to use that ability to your full potential. An individual's self concept is "the core of their personality". This view of themselves affects every aspect of their behavior (and being): the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change, your choice of friends, mates and careers. A strong self image is the best possible preparation for success in life.

Since none of us have reached our full potential in life, we can change our self image from what it is today, to what we WANT it to be.

You can even change your personality, to be any kind of person you choose to be. How do you do this?:

1. Understand the source of your self image. Your past experiences have made you believe the way you are.

If you are not a "believer", look at the lives of great men and women through the centuries. Discover what it was about them that made them great. Pick one who may have been extra-inspirational to you?

* Nelson Mandela - his great 'geneosity and nobility' of spirit in reaching out to former enemies.

Submitter's note:
A very good friend of mine uses this technique of imagining (visualising) multiple figures of history sitting with him, whilst I have the 'simple' approach of just "speaking" to Jesus (as my 'long-suffering confidante' in a state of meditation and contemplation, when I have a problem or major decision to make. No, we are not "loonies" ready to be "locked away"!

Whichever way, now you should be able to begin to develop a new picture of the kind of person you really want to be.

4. Write this picture down in the present and in a positive state. Not "I hope to be", but say "I WILL".
= a positive statements of faith.

Decide WHO and WHAT you want to be. This is far more important than material things you want or achievements in business.

5. Spend time with the person you'd want to be.
YOU are responsible for the kind of life you live, for the image you have of yourself - but not locked into any image of the past. YOU are totally unique. You can pick up a trashy novel. You will leave this earth someday a little better or a little worse for your living. Accept the responsibility inherant in your potential greatness.

However, it's a big challenge - this responsibility to make the most of your unique potential. Recognise and grasp your God-given equipment. Learn and apply these principles and move your life forwards. Change for the better! Live a life free of fear and worry, accomplishing worthwhile goals, a life filled with joy and happiness. Living a balanced life is most important - especially the spiritual aspect. The spirit of God, our Creator Who/That empowers us through the power of the subconscious mind is the channel, which breathes life into all of us through enthusiasm and inspiration.

NB: Whatever a person focuses their thoughts upon, becomes reality in their lives.

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
- Proverbs

It's up to US to CHOOSE our path in life and make the most of our God-given gifts. So DECLARE WHO YOU really WANT TO BE - say 'YES' to your unlimited potential'!
Stop day dreaming and just do all that you can and BECOME.

"If you are rich, work
If you are burdened with seemingly unfair responsibilities, work
If you are happy, continue to work.
Idleness gives room for doubts and fears.
If sorrow overwhelms you and loved ones seem not true, work
If disappointments come, work.
If faith falters and reason fails, just work.
When dreams are shattered and hope seems dead,
Work, work as if your life were in peril;
It really is.
No matter what ails you, work.
Work faithfully and work with faith,
Work is the greatest material remedy available.
Work will cure both mental and physical afflictions.
Work."
- author unknown

"True success is simply being the person you really want to be."

"Do not follow the well-beaten track of others towards success - like the rainbow, it is often an illusion always just beyond our reach. Make your own path and let your spirit blaze a brilliant trail towards the pot of gold, the prize for the gift - one that is uniquely you and YOUR successful journey down the mysterious and magical river of life."

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies within you."

"With passion and purpose in our individual lives,
we can touch others and in so doing illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity to make a better world
(through helping raise consciousness).
Let us offer an alternate vision for the world to embrace: one that banishes the fanatical ideology of
intolerance and hatred to the darkness from which it emerged.
Each one of us in our own little ways can and must offer a compelling new horizon: a bright future of justice, tolerance, respect for other traditions and values and especially a vision of hope and thoughts of peace fuelled by the eternal flame of love, which can light the darkest night... always "
- craig (as inspired by the words of Wahid Abdurrahman (spelling??), Former President of Indonesia)

"Our talents are our gift to God...
but what we do with our talents are our gifts TO God."

"God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into the world with a different collection of life circumstances that often severely challenge us, things that give us joy and in expressing our talents allow us to bless the people, the world around us."

"Together, one mind, one life at a time, let's see how many people we can impact, uplift, empower, encourage and perhaps even inspire to reach their fullest potentials."

PPS:
As they carry me to my deathbed, I'll be saying:
"Lord,
Can you just give me one more hour to finish off this article. PLEASE!"
- craig (as inspired by the quote of singer, Barry Manilow

Author's Bio:

About the submitter:
Craig's mission is in his own small way, to try to help people live happier, more fulfilling and successful lives. He likes (no, loves) to share knowledge and insights from his life experiences with dashes of humour to try and help others in 'every little way' he can... without being too much of a "Mr goody-goody boring" two shoes" (as he's lost the other one)